Deck the Halls: Exploring Iconic Christmas Markets by River

My First Christmas Market River Cruise: Getting Ready

It’s 2024, and this Christmas, I want it to be different. So, in December, I’m embarking on my very first Christmas Market-themed River cruise with none other than Amawaterways. As a Christmas enthusiast, my excitement soared when I received the email with my itinerary. They can’t wait to welcome me aboard, and neither can I! I even splurged on three nights in Prague before the cruise. Going from the daily grind to a place that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale? Count me in! So, where am I headed? Let me fill you in:

2024 Iconic Christmas Markets 7-Night Cruise with 3 Nights Prague Pre-Cruise

Travel back through centuries as you stroll along cobblestone streets in grand cities and historic towns, all decked out with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts brimming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas markets are everywhere, waiting for you to explore. From Nuremberg’s festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas market in Germany, to Regensburg’s charming market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic. Vienna’s impressive Christmas markets seem to magically appear around every corner, and Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square offers traditionally handmade products. Sparkling lights, the festive sounds of children singing carols, the enticing smells of hot mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages, and sweet treats of every kind—it’s a feast for all your senses.

Itinerary Details:

Day 1: Prague

Check into your hotel in Prague to kick off your adventure.

Day 2: Prague

The fairytale city of Prague always enchants, but it truly sparkles during the holiday season. You’ll explore a collection of Art Nouveau, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture on your tour. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you’ll find the famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, and the statue of Jan Hus. Later, enjoy free time to explore Prague’s renowned Christmas markets in the Old Town Square. (B)

Day 3:

Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, with the first brewery established in 993. Join a Czech beer tasting and discover why Czech beer is some of the best in the world. (B)

Day 4: Prague – Nuremberg – Embarkation

Check out of your hotel in Prague and drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, where you’ll board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (B, D)

Day 5: Nuremberg

Join a city tour of WWII highlights, then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Visit some local Christmas markets, including the famous Christkindlesmarkt. You’ll also cross the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal as the day ends. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Regensburg

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas market. Alternatively, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage, and pretzels—or bike to the base of Walhalla, a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later, enjoy one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans create unique arts and crafts. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Passau

Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, known for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Search for Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market, or for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral, and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where the inner courtyard becomes a romantic backdrop for one of Austria’s most beautiful Christmas Markets. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Melk – Wachau Valley – Vienna

High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. Afterward, enjoy a scenic cruise of the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley before arriving in Vienna and exploring the local Christmas markets. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Vienna

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Afterwards, visit the Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride along the Danube River. In the afternoon, visit the Schönbrunn Palace with its giant sparkling Christmas tree. This market presents a glittering and stellar Christmas experience. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Budapest

Today, explore both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District, where you’ll marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below, and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. Visit the city’s famed Christmas Markets, or for a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square, and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Budapest

Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before preparing for your return flight home. (B)

I know, I KNOW! I’m over the moon. I’ve been trying to put my finger on it, and I believe this trip has the makings of becoming a new Christmas tradition.